Begin to Hope is Regina Spektor’s fourth studio album, released in June 2006. It reflects a turning point in her career as she transitions more fully into polished pop territory while retaining her signature quirk and lyrical imagination. Piano remains the anchor of her sound, but here it’s paired with fuller productions—strings, horns, synths—and a broader palette of moods. Songs like Fidelity and Hotel Song demonstrate this blend: catchy melodies, dramatic dynamic shifts, and emotional storytelling that range from playful to poignant.

The album also holds a balance between intimacy and ambition. Spektor’s vocals convey vulnerability but also confidence, especially as she weaves in literary references, shifts between languages, and experiments with structure. The arrangements are lush but never overwhelming, with quieter tracks like Samson and Field Below complementing the more upbeat moments. Overall, Begin to Hope presents Regina Spektor not just as an indie oddball but as an artist able to connect widely without losing distinctiveness.

Reviews:

“Begin to Hope exhibits new levels of control and direction, reaching a point where the song and the singing are inseparable.” – Pitchfork

“With the possible exception of ‘That Time,’ with its repetitive, Alanis-style lyrics, there’s an underlying hope to Regina Spektor’s music.” – Slant Magazine

“For newcomers to Spektor’s work, though, this version is still oddly haunting, retelling the familiar biblical story from the perspective of a loving, subtly regretful Delilah.” – PopMatters